In his Independence Day speech at North Lakhimpur on Thursday, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for banning ‘triple talaq‘ and termed it as a bold step.
He said that it was a great move in achieving women empowerment and gender equality.
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“The new law would free Muslim women in the country from centuries of exploitation, deprivation and injustice,” he added.
He also hailed the government’s decision to scrap Article 370 and Article 35 (A) from Jammu & Kashmir and said that it was a moment of great pride as the nation was celebrating the 73rd Independence Day as Akhand Bharat (united India).
Hailing the move by Prime Minister Modi as historic and bold, the minister said that Jammu and Kashmir, with its syncretic religious tradition, would now be an inseparable part India.
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He expressed the desire to see the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir as a part of India one day in the future.
He also recalled the sacrifice made by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee for Jammu and Kashmir’s integration with India.
Referring to the economic front, Sarma said that India was going to be among the top five economies of the world with the start of programmes of $ 5 billion.
He said that there would be no economic development until poverty was eradicated.
Programmes like rural electrification, distribution of LPG connections and constructions of roads and bridges connecting rural areas were also mentioned by the minister in his speech.
He also announced the launch of Asom-Darshan scheme by the state government.
The scheme aims to develop the infrastructure of places of worship that had entered a hundred years.
The 73rd Independence Day celebration in the district was celebrated with pomp and gaiety in North Lakhimpur Government HS School playground.
Himanta Biswa Sarma after hoisting the national flag inspected the Guard of Honour.
He took the salute of the parade conducted by Assam Police, Assam Police Battalion, Home Guards, NCC, Scouts and Guides and participants from various educational institutes.
The parade was led by Pranjeet Kalita.
He also paid tributes to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the country.
He paid special tribute to three freedom fighters from Lakhimpur district—Pushpalata Nath, Kula Bora and Sarbeswar Baruah in his address.
Sarma also paid tributes to Indian scientists for the successful launch of Chandrayan II, India’s lunar mission.
A host of cultural programmes by schoolchildren marked the Independence Day celebration in North Lakhimpur.
Freedom fighters, senior citizens, outstanding farmers, entrepreneurs, sports persons etc were felicitated by the minister.
Prizes were also distributed among the winners of various literary, cultural and sports competitions in the function.
Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah and Tezpur MP Pallab Lochan Das also attended the function.
Lakhimpur DC Jeevan B and Superintendent of Police Harekrishna Nath were also present in the function.